Ankle device for supporting an individual in an inverted position



Apnl 30, 1968 ,R. M. MARTIN 3,380,447

ANKLE. DEVlCE FOR SUPPORTING AN INDIVIDUAL IN AN INVERTED POSITION Filed Oct. 19. 1965 INVENTOR. P052597 44 M14197? United States Patent 3,380,447 ANKLE DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AN INDIVID- UAL IN AN INVERTED POSITION Robert M. Martin, 90 N. Hudson Ave.,

Pasadena, Calif. 91101 Filed Oct. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 497,767 9 Claims. (Cl. 128-75) This invention relates to an ankle device and more particularly to an ankle device for supporting an individual in an inverted position.

The anatomical, physiological and mechanical reasons for supporting an individual in an inverted position from the individuals lower limbs are as follows: (1) lengthen the body; (2) separate the joint spaces, especially the intervertebral joint spaces; (3) to aid in the elimination of vascular and visceral pt-osis; (4) to decompress the body; (5) to aid circulatory exchange; and (6) to readjust the lines of stress upon the body, In other words, the inversion of the individuals body serves to reverse the effects of erect posture.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an ankle device for supporting an individual in an inverted position.

A further object of this invention is to provide 'an ankle device for supporting an individual in an inverted position which is conveniently and quickly attached to the ankle.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ankle device for supporting an individual in an inverted position which is comfortable and safe.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ankle device for supporting an individual in an inverted position so that the full body weight can act as traction and as an elongating load through the long axis of the body.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ankle device for supporting an individual in an inverted position which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an individual being supported in an inverted position by the ankle devices which are secured to the individual;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the ankle device secured to an individual, the broken lines indicating the configuration of the posterior jaw member;

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the device in an inverted position; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the device in an inverted position.

The numeral 10 generally designates the ankle device of this invention while the numeral 11 generally designates an individuals leg. Ankle device 10 includes jaw members 13 ad 15 hingedly secured together. Jaw member 13 includes a curved upper end 17, lower end 19, opposite ends 21 and 23, exterior surface 25 and interior surface 27.

Jaw member 15 includes an upper end 29, lower end 31 having a cut-away portion 33 formed therein, opposite ends 35 and 37, exterior surface 39 and interior surface 41. As best seen in FIGS. 3-5, ends 21 and 35 of jaw members 13 and 15 respectively are hingedly secured together at 43. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, jaw member 13 and 15 are adapted to be detachably secured together 3,380,447 Patented Apr. 30, 1968 by means of snap lock means 45. An inverted, substantially U-shaped hook 47 is secured to jaw member 15 by means of bolt assembly 49. Preferably, book 47, jaw member 13 and jaw member 15 are constructed of a metal material.

A layer of padding 51 is secured to the interior surface 27 of jaw member 13 by suitable adhesive or the like and may be comprised of rubber, leather, etc. As seen in FIG. 2, the lower end of padding 51 extends below the lower end 19 of jaw member 13 and extends slightly above the upper end 17 of jaw member 13, A layer of padding 53 is secured to the interior surface 41 of jaw member 15 by a suitable adhesive or the like and may be comprised of rubber, leather, etc. As best seen in FIG. 2, the lower end of padding 53 extends below the lower end 31 of jaw member 15 and the upper end of padding 53 extends slightly above the upper end 29 of jaw member 15.

The numeral 55 generally designates a horizontal bar assembly having a horizontal bar 57 mounted thereon.

When it is desired to support an individual in an inverted position, it is simply necessary to detachably secure an ankle device 10 to each of the ankles of the individual. The hinged relationship between jaw members 13 and 15 permits the device to be opened to facilitate the insertion of the individuals leg therein. Snap lock means 45 is then locked to prevent the device from inadvertently opening when in use. The individual then simply maneuvers his body on the horizontal bar assembly 55 until hooks 47 on each of the ankle devices extend over the horizontal bar 57 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The individual then hangs in a position as illustrated in FIG. 1 to permit the full body weight of the individual to act as a traction and as an elongated load through the long axis of the body. The layers of padding 51 and 53 prevent the ankle of the individual from coming into contact with any hard or sharp portion of the device to provide the individual with utmost comfort. The individual hangs in the inverted position for a predetermined length of time and then removes himself from the horizontal bar apparatus 57 whereupon the ankle devices are easily and quickly removed from the legs of the individual.

The configuration of jaw member 13 conforms to the posterior side of an individuals lower leg for maximum comfort and support. The curved upper end of jaw member 13 conforms to the configuration of the lower portion of an individuals calf.

The configuration of jaw member 15 conforms to the anterior side of an individuals lower leg for maximum comfort and support. Cut-away portion 33 of jaw member 15 partially receives a portion of the individuals ankle to permit the individual to walk when the device is attached to his ankle. Cut-away portion 33 of jaw member 15 also partially receives a portion of the individuals ankle when the individual is in the inverted position of FIG. 1 for comfort.

Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my Ankle Device for Supporting an Individual in an Inverted Position without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

Iclaim:

1. In a device of the class described,

an inversion boot adapted for attachment to a persons leg including a first jaw member having opposite ends and a second jaw member having opposite ends,

said first jaw member hingedly secured at one of its ends to one end of said second jaw member,

means detachably securing said other end of said first jaw member to said other end of said second jaw member.

and a hook means secured to one of said first and second jaw members.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first jaw member is curved across its width and has a curvature complernentary to the posterior side of an individuals lower leg.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said second jaw member is curved across its width and has a curvature complementary to the anterior side of an individuals lower leg.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said first jaw member has a curved upper end complementary to the lower calf of an individuals leg.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said second jaw member includes a lower end having a cut-away portion formed therein adapted to partially receive a portion of an individuals ankle.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein said second jaw member includes a front portion and wherein said hook means includes an inverted substantially U-shaped member secured to the front portion of said second jaw membet.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second jaw members each include exterior and interior surfaces .4 and wherein a padding means is secured to the interior surfaces of said first and second jaw members.

8. The device of claim 3 wherein said first and second jaw members each include exterior and interior surfaces, and upper and lower ends and wherein a padding means is secured to the interior surfaces of said first and second jaw members, said padding means on said first jaw member having a length greater than the length of said first jaw member and also having a width greater than the width of said first jaw member; said padding means on said second jaw member having a length greater than the length of said second jaw member.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said hook means is adapted to be detachably secured to a horizontal bar means when the inversion boot is in an inverted position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,583,895 1/ 1952 Siebrandt 12884 20 2,723,663 11/1955 Davis 128-75 3,081,085 3/ 1963 Girolamo 272-5 8 FOREIGN PATENTS 739,111 10/ 1955 Great Britain.

LAWRENCE W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, AN INVERSION BOOT ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO A PERSON''S LEG INCLUDING A FIRST JAW MEMBER HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS AND A SECOND JAW MEMBER HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS, SAID FIRST JAW MEMBER HINGEDLY SECURED AT ONE OF ITS ENDS TO ONE END OF SAID SECOND JAW MEMBER, 